PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Water bells will ring in the schools of Uttarakhand during summers this year to keep the students hydrated. An order in this regard was given by the chief secretary Anand Bardhan during a review meeting at the State secretariat on Wednesday.
In the meeting, the CS said that the water bells will ensure that every student can drink water regularly during the summer season. He said that to prevent the students from the effects of the heatwave, necessary changes in school timings should be made. Similarly adequate ventilation in classrooms and the stocking of ORS and essential medicines should be done in the schools.
The CS said that in view of the rising temperatures and potential heatwave conditions in the State, protecting the health of students should be given top priority in all schools. He also directed district magistrates to temporarily halt all construction work in areas where water is scarce during the summer season. He also directed the provision of pure drinking water in buses, railway stations and markets.
The CS also directed all departments to work in a coordinated and proactive manner to address the challenge of heat waves. “A heat wave action plan should be developed in each district, identifying sensitive areas and ensuring special monitoring and relief measures there. Additionally, a 24×7 control room should be operated to ensure a robust rapid response system for any emergency,’’ he said.
Describing the availability of drinking water as extremely important, the CS directed that the continuous availability of clean drinking water be ensured in public places, markets, bus stands and Panchayat buildings. In areas where water scarcity is likely, advance action plans should be made to arrange for tankers, regularly monitor tube wells and pumping systems and prepare alternative water supply systems, he said.
Bardhan also directed all hospitals to ensure adequate beds, dedicated wards, essential medicines, ORS,and ice packs for the treatment of heat wave patients. Ambulance services should be strengthened and ice packs and ORS should be kept mandatory and medical and paramedical staff should be trained in heat wave management. “The public should be widely aware of the symptoms, prevention and first aid of heat waves. It should also be ensured that hospitals have sheds and fans at patient sitting areas,’’ he said.
In view of the safety of workers, the CS directed that work hours be modified as needed, especially avoiding heavy work during the afternoon. He said that workers should also be made aware of heatwave prevention measures. He said that the parks should be kept open for extended hours, providing relief to the poor and vulnerable and adequate arrangements for water and shelter for animals should be ensured.
The CS added that uninterrupted power supply be ensured in view of the increasing demand during summers.
Secretaries Dilip Jawalkar and Pankaj Kumar Pandey, CCF Sushant Kumar Patnaik, special secretary Parag Madhukar Dhakate, C Ravishankar, Vinod Kumar Suman, Ranvir Singh Chauhan and others attended the meeting. The DMs attended the meeting in virtual mode.
